Lords of Honor

by K. R. Richards

  “True.” Jack agreed. “You are correct. I forgot Davitt wanted a scroll as well as the holy treasures.”

  “Whatever letter Percy found, or by whatever means he came to know about the tunnel on the abbey grounds and the Scroll; I think we can assume the information was passed along to a higher up,” Micah reasoned.

  A loud knock sounded at the door.

  “Who is it?” Micah asked.

  “Mr. Banfield, my Lord. We’ve brought up your dinner.”

  Micah opened the door. He allowed Mr. Banfield and his two helpers to bring in their meal.

  “I have brought in two extra men to stay near the staircases during the night, my Lords. To prevent you from having any unwelcome visitors.”

  Micah nodded to the innkeeper. “Thank you, Mr. Banfield. We appreciate that.”

  Micah stepped out into the hallway to speak to Mr. Banfield.

  “As we are being detained to wait upon the rest of our fellows, my Lady could use some new clothing, gowns, petticoats, chemises, stockings and the like. Could you send someone out to fetch a modiste or a merchant who might sell ladies clothing tomorrow morning? Also, Lord Elveston and I could use some things. We will provide you with a list in the morning.”

  “Certainly, my Lord. There is a modiste very near, a Mrs. Bingington. She’s a widow. I’ve heard she does an excellent job at pleasing certain ladies of prominence in Salisbury.”

  “Excellent. Thank you.”

  “Will your Lady require a bath tonight?”

  “Yes. You may bring it in two hours.”

  “Very good, my Lord.”

  Chapter Five

  None of their fellows turned up that evening. Jack stayed for awhile after dinner. He returned to his room when the Innkeeper’s servants arrived with Libby’s tub.

  Once again, Micah rinsed Libby’s hair for her. It proved even more difficult to ignore her lovely naked body tonight as she sat in the tub. Micah ached to lift her out and carry her to their bed; to make love to her as he wished to do.

  As he did the night before, he dried and combed her hair before the fire. Once again, she wore only his shirt. The sight of her long, bare legs tempted him sorely.

  “You seem to feel much better tonight, Libby. You have your balance back. You’ve walked around today. And you ate more tonight. I’m happy to see your appetite improving.”

  “I do feel much better, Micah, thank you. I’m almost back to normal.”

  “Good.” Micah smiled to himself as he sat behind her, combing her hair.

  “You must be tired of combing my hair dry, Micah. Would you like me to do it?” Libby asked.

  “No, Libby. I love your hair. It’s beautiful and soft as silk. You will let me brush your hair every night when we are married, won’t you?”

  “If you like,” Libby said softly. Micah was married before. She worried that he might be disappointed at her lack of knowledge regarding the marriage bed. Libby realized at that moment she knew very little about what to expect on her wedding night.

  “I will love brushing your hair every night, Libby.”

  When he finished, he moved his chair around to face Libby’s. He saw her frowning. “What is wrong, Libby, has something I said made you unhappy.”

  “No, I’m not unhappy. I – I don’t know anything about marriage, er, about the wedding night. And you were married before, I am afraid you might be disappointed.” She captured her bottom lip with her pearly white teeth. She blushed.

  “No, sweetheart, I could never be disappointed where you are concerned.” Micah took her hand in his. “May I remind you, you are not supposed to know anything about the marriage bed. You had never been kissed before I kissed you and now you are a very fine kisser.”

  “Truly? You think so?” Libby’s eyes lit up. She smiled shyly.

  “Oh yes, Libby. On our wedding night I shall tell you what your kisses do to me, Libby. And I shall show you all the rest, sweetheart. Don’t worry. You and I, we will do fine in the marriage bed.” Micah reached out to caress her cheek.

  He should have been content with that, but his gaze fell to her full red lips and he realized he wanted to kiss her. Actually, he felt an overwhelming need to kiss Libby. His hand slid from her cheek to her nape. He urged her toward him as he leaned into her. Her lips parted as he kissed her. He needed her closer. He reached out to her, grabbed her by the waist and effortlessly moved her from her chair to his lap.

  His cock was already hard. It stiffened up when he first saw her naked in the tub, then grew harder still while combing her hair. Talk of their wedding night and the mental pictures that event conjured in his mind hardened him further. Painfully so.

  Libby moved suddenly. “Micah what is that? Something’s poking me.”

  “You do know that men and women have different, um, parts, don’t you?” He did not smile, but he found himself highly amused.

  “Yes. But, oh is that your…?” Her eyes grew wide. “Oh!” Her cheeks flamed again.

  Micah bent his head close to hers. His lips pressed against her ear before he explained in a whisper why he was hard. He tried not to smile as he caressed her delicate, long-fingered hand in his own.

  “And is it always hard like that?” she asked quite seriously.

  “No.” He bent to whisper more to her, he smiled down at her after.

  “What pleasure did you receive from me to make it...that way, um, hard?”

  “Well, I did see you naked except where your arms were crossed over your bosom.”

  Libby inhaled sharply. “You said you would not look!”

  “Most of the time I didn’t, I looked away. But I can’t truly pour a pail of water over your head with my eyes closed, now can I, Libby?” Amusement tugged at the corners of his mouth.

  She giggled. She thought a moment and then asked, “And seeing me naked makes you hard?”

  “Yes. That’s where it started. I combed your hair. Remember, I told you I loved your hair. I truly do.”

  “Combing my hair made you hard?”

  Strangely, Micah found himself enjoying the odd turn in conversation.

  “When you told me you were worried about our wedding night, and I told you not to worry, I imagined all the things we would do on our wedding night. That’s when I positively got hard. I then brought you to my lap. And you keep wiggling around and rubbing my, well - I’m still hard.”

  Libby purposely wiggled her bottom over him. She regarded him with a mischievous smile on her face. Seeing his poor attempt at a scowl, she could not help it, she laughed.

  “Libby!” he joined in her laughter.

  “Does it hurt?” she asked, obviously curious.

  “No! It feels good.” Too Good. “It feels very good, sweetheart.”

  “What things will we do?”

  “What? Do what?” Micah asked.

  “You said you were imagining all the things we would do on our wedding night. There is more than one? Thing to do?”

  “Oh, yes, more than one, Libby.” He gave her an emphatic nod.

  Libby was uncertain what he meant. More than one? Confused, she asked him, “What kinds of things? I have heard of only one…”

  Micah kissed her quite passionately. “I will put my” he whispered a word in her ear again, “inside you Libby. Surely you know that much.”

  She nodded and said, “I was aware of that part. I don’t think it will work for us. I think you may not fit, it feels quite large, Micah.”

  He grinned. “We will fit together perfectly, Libby. Your body will stretch to accommodate me. I promise you, it will work.” He kissed her yet again, this time his mouth was more demanding. His hand moved to her bottom. “I promise you shall enjoy our lovemaking.” He whispered to her as he drew his head up and looked into her sapphire eyes.

  Her mouth formed into an O.

  Micah laughed. His self control shattered. His long fingers moved to unfasten one of the buttons of her, or rather his shirt that she was currently wearing. Her cle
avage was then enticingly displayed to his feasting eyes. He kissed her again, lingeringly. As she responded and matched the movements of his tongue his passion grew. His self control was frayed, almost nonexistent. He wanted to see her breasts. He wanted to touch them. Taste them.

  His fingers moved to unfasten the shirt further, but he managed to stop himself. He would not have it said he took advantage of Libby. He would not dishonor her so. “We best get you to bed, sweetheart.” His voice was deep and thick. “I still need to bathe.” His lips sought the tender curve of her neck.

  “I will try, but I am not sleepy,” Libby protested sweetly.

  Micah rose, lifting her in his arms. “Try, Libby. If you’re still awake when I come back we’ll talk, sweetheart.” He placed a sweet kiss to her lips as he slid her into their bed.

  Micah brought the covers over her. “Try to sleep sweetheart. I’m going to take my bath now. I’ll have the maids clear the tub away when I am finished.” He rose to his full height above her.

  “The water will be cold now, Micah!”

  “Cold is good when I’m as hard as I am now Libby.” He said honestly.

  “How so?”

  Her puzzled expression almost made him laugh. She was indeed an innocent. “It will make it…not be hard anymore.” He could not help himself, he laughed when he saw her bewilderment increase. He bent and kissed her quite passionately. “Sleep, sweetheart. And forget about my“ he whispered the word in her ear while he grinned, “until our wedding night.” He hugged her to him. Smiling he placed a quick kiss to her temple and stood.

  Libby sighed. She rolled her eyes at him. “I don’t think I can forget about it, Micah.”

  He shook his head. He left the room with a broad grin on his face.

  He removed all his clothing except his trousers. He slid under the covers. Libby lay on her side with her back toward him. He pulled her into his arms gently.

  She sighed softly. He buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes. Part of him wished for her to be awake when he returned, the other wished her to be sleeping. As it was, Libby slept; so did he.

  Micah woke to the familiar feeling of Libby snuggling her derrière against the front of his trousers. He was spooned up against her, his arms holding her close. Her hair was fanned on the pillow all about him. This morning she smelled of roses. It felt like heaven holding her close. Also like hell, for he couldn’t do to her what he truly wanted. But, he savored the feeling of her lying warm and pliant in his arms while she slept. He longed for the day he could wake like this with her and make love to her. Please let it be soon!

  It was early, so he stayed abed, just holding her close. It was bliss.

  After a time, Libby stirred.

  “You awake, sweetheart?” Micah drawled sleepily as he rose up on his elbow and gazed lingeringly at her. He kissed her cheek and noticed most of her lovely breast was exposed by the deep V of her shirt he unfastened the night before. He ached to cover it with his hand.

  “Yes.” She rolled over to face him then. Her hands moved to his face. She lifted up to offer him a kiss. It was a gentle, sweet kiss. She moved her lips over his. She pulled on his bottom lip with her moist, rosy lips and pulled back to regard him.

  He kissed her back. This marked the first time Libby initiated anything between them. Micah allowed her to set the pace. The moment was precious to him. When she began to lick at his lips, he opened to allow her entrance. He savored her kiss and wound his hands in her hair. He rolled onto his back, bringing her half over his torso. Her hands roamed over his bare chest and shoulders. His hands moved slowly down her beautiful slender back to cup her sweet bottom that was the cause of his early arousal this morning, and the two mornings previous. He pulled the long tails of her shirt down to make certain he wouldn’t touch her bare bottom, though in reality he wished her to be completely naked at this moment.

  Micah hugged her to him tightly. He kissed her forehead loudly while smoothing back an errant strand of sable silk that covered one eye. “We need to get you dressed, sweetheart. Elveston will be knocking soon. And some of our reinforcements or possibly even Owen may arrive today.”

  Libby nodded reluctantly. She sighed. “Shall we have to wait for the banns to be cried before we can be married, Micah?”

  “We have to talk to Owen, Libby. He will have a say in all of this, I’m certain. If we have to wait, it will be three weeks. I’m hoping to get a special license. I would prefer we marry as soon as possible.”

  “I hope we can marry soon too.” She smiled down at Micah before placing another kiss to his lips.

  This kiss was slow and sweet. Micah smiled up at her when her lips left his. “We need to get you dressed Libby, or I’ll have to order a cold bath!”

  Libby laughed.

  Micah gently smacked her derrière.

  They dressed. Breakfast was being brought in when Elveston entered. “Owen is here. I saw him ride in with Charlie and Sinclair when I looked out the window just now. They must have ridden all night, and they had to be closer than Roseland Abbey when they received the message.”

  “Mr. Banfield; Lords Fitzlewis, Silverley and Sinclair may come up,” Micah instructed him. “And we’ll need more breakfast for them as well.”

  “I’ll go down at once, sir.” The innkeeper nodded and left them.

  Libby suddenly felt nervous.

  Sitting next to her, Micah reached under the table and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. He smiled at her. “Everything will be fine, sweetheart.”

  She nodded and smiled back at him. Before she was kidnapped she never wanted to leave Roseland Abbey or Owen. Now, she never wanted to leave Micah.

  She took a few bites of her breakfast before she heard Owen’s voice out in the hallway. She smiled brightly when she saw her brother’s large frame fill the doorway. She saw the relief wash over his face and felt tears threaten as she realized just how worried he must have been.

  “Owen!” She rose and ran straight into her brother’s open arms.

  Owen Darrington, Lord Fitzlewis, hugged his little sister tightly. He let go a huge sigh of relief. He thanked God Libby was alive and well. He feared he might never see her again. Alive. “Libby! Thank God you’re well.” Owen pulled back and noticed how very pale she was. He noticed the breakfast on the table. “Eat, pet. We’ll talk when you are finished.” Owen winked at her. He remembered Micah’s letter said she went days without food and was quite ill. He sat in the empty chair next to his sister.

  “Jack saw you through the window. We’ve ordered more food for you,” Micah informed them. “Sit, all of you. Please, join us.”

  “We were at Glastonbury when Harry received your letter. He’s on the way to Templecombe later today, by the way,” Owen informed them.

  “We didn’t think you could have arrived this quickly leaving from Roseland Abbey,” Micah said.

  “I saw two brown coats out front,” Charlie said solemnly as he sat down.

  “There were two more out back yesterday. At the very least there are six, for that is how many there were in Andover when they followed Libby and me.” Micah motioned to the third newcomer. “Sit, Sinclair. Jack and I will fill you all in while we eat.” Micah, Libby and Elveston took their turns explaining how Libby came to be kidnapped and subsequently rescued.

  Mr. Banfield and his helpers brought in more food. The group continued conversing while they ate.

  “Thank God you two were in Andover.” Owen shook his head and exhaled loudly with relief. “You both brought her straight to Salisbury?”

  “No.” Micah began, “Elveston went to chase the men who brought Libby into the inn when they ran from the White Hart. They jumped into their carriage. I intended to take Libby to another inn for she was to be turned over to Mr. Crow at the White Hart that evening.”

  “Crow never showed at the White Hart. I watched for him later,” Jack interjected.

  Micah continued, “I did not want to keep her at the White Hart for that rea
son. As I got her onto my horse we were set upon by the six Brown Coats who returned to get her. Libby rode with me, for she was still under the effects of the laudanum and had no balance. She could not walk without assistance. The only reason we got away is because we were on horseback and they were on foot.”

  Micah paused to chew a bite of his eggs, then continued, “I decided it would be safest for Libby if we left Andover altogether. I stopped at an inn on the outskirts of town to send a message to Elveston at the White Hart. Libby began to feel quite ill. We stopped along the road a couple of times. It began to rain. I went down a country lane and found an abandoned cottage. The rain continued until the next afternoon. When it stopped, we left the cottage and came to Salisbury. Jack joined us yesterday morning.”

  Owen nodded. He began to understand the seriousness of Libby’s situation. “You are feeling better, Libby?” he smiled warmly at his sister.

  “Much better, thanks to Micah.” Libby flashed Micah a bright smile. ”He took very good care of me, Owen.” She returned her smiling face to her brother.

  “Thank you, Micah.” Owen gave his friend a heartfelt but rather solemn smile. All in the Avalon Society knew Micah never planned to marry again. Owen knew at that moment Micah would offer for Libby; out of duty and as a gentleman. His sister deserved more than a man who offered for her out of duty. Yet Micah was a kind man, and a good one. The situation was a perplexing one. He rubbed at the stubble along his jaw as he considered the options before him.

  “You’re welcome, Owen. It was my pleasure to help your sister.” Micah turned to smile at Libby.

  Owen could not help but notice how happy his sister appeared to be as she smiled back at Micah.

  A half hour later, when it appeared that all were finished with their meals, Micah asked, “May I speak to you in private, Owen?”

  “Of course, Micah. Excuse me for a moment Libby. Stay here with our fine friends.” Owen winked at his sister as he rose from the table.